Kennedy introduces higher penalty for illegally parked vehicles

Newry and Armagh MLA and Regional Development Minister, Danny Kennedy has introduced an increase in the penalty for those who park illegally.

On 26th June 2012, Assembly Members voted in favour of an increase in the penalty charge notice from £60 to £90, reduced to £45 if paid within two weeks. The new penalty comes into force tomorrow, Wednesday 4th July.

The Minister said: “The vast majority of drivers park legally and safely and they need never pay this penalty. However the increase from £60 to £90 will act as a greater deterrent to those who choose not to park properly. It is the Department’s aim to reduce the number of illegally parked vehicles on our roads, not to issue PCNs.”

“It is my responsibility to cover the cost of delivering car parking services and I want to ensure the burden of enforcement falls on those drivers who ignore the restrictions and cause safety risks, delays and inconvenience for other drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.”

Kennedy continued: “An awareness campaign, to remind drivers of the parking restrictions and enforcement, will run in the lead up to the introduction of a new parking enforcement contract in October. My Department will also publish a protocol on the procedures in place to deal with enforcement, including the process for issuing parking tickets.”

“Most people are familiar and comply with parking restrictions. I would urge all drivers to park legally, be considerate of other road users and to make themselves familiar with the parking restrictions. By observing double yellow lines, disabled bays for Blue Badge holders, zig zags, bus lanes, urban clearways and all other parking restrictions, drivers can avoid a parking ticket. When parking in a Roads Service car park or on-street, make sure the vehicle is parked wholly in the bay and not encroaching on another space.”

In conclusion the Minister said: “Parking restrictions are an important part of traffic management systems which allow the free flow of vehicles. Those restrictions require enforcement to ensure safe parking and encourage a turnover in parking spaces. The overwhelming majority of people recognise this and park legally.”